Make a pledge for NHS Change Day

A Ripley pensioner has urged Derbyshire folk to follow in his footsteps by doing something positive for local health services.

The plea was made this week by 66-year-old John Paley, who has starred in four films produced by NHS Southern Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to help people stay well this winter and to make best use of health services.

Now, he is calling on residents to mark NHS Change Day on Monday (3 March) by joining the 212,000 people who have already pledged to do something practical to support the health service in their community.

Thousands of people have promised to thank NHS staff for the excellent care they receive while others have signed up for one or more of the following four big public pledges:

"I pledge to find information about my local health services, so I understand what the different options could be when I might need them."

"I pledge to give up at least an hour of my time volunteering to help my local health and care services."

"I pledge to give my feedback good and bad of the health and care services I experience."

Alternatively, supporters of the NHS can make a pledge of their own. To make a promise for NHS Change Day, visit http://changeday.nhs.uk.

Mr Paley, from Codnor Park, suggested that people who care about the NHS might also consider joining the Patient Participation Group (PPG) run by their local GP practice.

Mr Paley explained: “PPGs help GP surgeries to discover what a range of patients think about services, to establish their priorities and to test and modify plans GPs may have. A PPG also helps to identify where improvements can be made for patients.”

Anyone wishing to become a member of their PPG should talk to their practice manager or can call 01332 868677 or email enquiries@southernderbyshireccg.nhs.uk for more information.

Dr Sheila Newport, Chair of NHS Southern Derbyshire CCG, said:

“We hope that many patients will join with us in helping to shape and improve health services by becoming a member of their local PPG. Patients are in the unique position of being the only people who know what it is like to be on the receiving end of services, which means that they can provide us with vital information on what works well and how services can improve. We are committed to making sure we listen to and act upon feedback from patients and the public.”

Mr Paley is chair of the Patient Participation Group at Ripley’s Jessop Medical Practice.

The CCG plans and buys healthcare for 525,000 patients.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

NHS Southern Derbyshire CCG represents 57 GP practices and is responsible for the healthcare of 525,000 people. It is one of four clinical commissioning groups in Derbyshire.